June 21: A hot, dry summer dawns in O.C.

Friday, the first full day of summer, arrives with an ominous backdrop.

The wild shrubs of Orange County's hills are tinder dry, and forecasters see a warm, dry summer ahead. It all adds up to an increased risk of wildfire across the Southern California region.

"We are about two months ahead of our scheduled dryness hitting critical levels," said George Ewan, wildland fire defense planner for the Orange County Fire Authority. "We're already at, or in, the same neighborhood as the record dryness that we've ever had."

Local, regional and national long-range forecasts all point to a warmer-than-normal summer season.

And we're plenty dry as it is. John Wayne Airport has seen just under 5 inches of rain since July 1, more than 8 inches below normal.

"I think it could be a busy year all across Southern California," Ewan said.